5 Reasons To Go For A Walk Outside
Walking gets you out of the house.
Let’s face it, when you are retired, you end up spending more time at home looking at the same 4 walls so having reasons to leave the house are generally welcome. Walking is usually something you can just open your door and do, however it’s also fun to explore new places and terrains.
Regular walks have positive health benefits
Staying healthy is your goal and walking is one way to stay on track. Walking is a weight bearing exercise that can keep your bones strong. Challenge yourself to maintain a pace of about 3 miles per hour for maximum benefit. Don’t forget to count your steps. Maintaining 6000 to 10000 steps a day can help you live a longer, healthier life. There are lots of different step counting devices out there and most likely there’s an app for your phone that will do the job as well.
Fresh air is good for you
It’s good to be outside enjoying the sounds and smells of the day. If you live in a warm, sunny climate, walking regularly outdoors is easy and takes little preparation, you simply need a good pair of shoes. If your weather is more inclement, don’t save outdoor walks for a sunny day. I live in a rain forest and if I only walked on sunny days, I would rarely get outside. In Alaska, where I live, we say there is no such thing as bad weather, just bad weather gear. Invest in an umbrella and light rain gear so you aren’t tempted to stay home if it’s a little wet. Winter walks in the snow take a little more planning but a pair of yack tracks and a well worn trail might make a daily walk safe enough. You may want to try snowshoes for your winter walk if you live where you have plenty of snow.
Walking gives you time to think
Planning your next dinner party, thinking about a book you recently read, and contemplating how to approach your husband about a trip to Norway, are examples of things you can think about when you go for a walk. For some reason, monotonous physical exercise keeps your mind busy. You may find that random thoughts lead to solutions for situations you had been pouring over for days. In fact, if you are pondering about something, go for a walk and a solution may present itself while you enjoy the fresh air. Walking can get you away from the distractions that may be getting in the way of finding solutions to everyday problems.
Walking with someone is a satisfying way to spend time
There are a couple of reasons to walk with a friend. First, it’s more likely you will go because someone is depending on you and second, it’s a great way to visit and catch up. Creating a social network after retirement can be challenging. Asking someone to go for a walk is a break-the-ice way to form new friendships. Friendships blossom with regular visits and walking as you visit is one way to stay in touch with people you care about. People are generally more apt to share with your if they aren’t looking right at you and are otherwise engaged. A walk might be a better social activity than a cup of coffee, to help a friend work through personal issues.
If you are on a quest to live a healthy lifestyle, walking with a friend is great motivation to stay on track. You can walk with the same person every day or a have a setup where you walk with a different person each day or mix it up and walk by yourself some days and with friends on other days. Whatever works for you. The goal is to keep walking. Walking is the perfect activity in your overall weekly fitness routine. Walking keeps you healthy limber and mobile. Enjoy a walk today.